Aberdeen FC 1

Heart of Midlothian 0

A first half winner from Lyall Booth was enough to settle a close contest between Aberdeen and Hearts, as the young Dons lifted the first trophy of the new youth academy competition.

Cove Rangers’ Balmoral Stadium played host to the showpiece event, in front of a healthy crowd of expectant supporters for both teams.

Aberdeen made the best of the early running. Midfielder Kevin Hanratty, who was influential throughout, had a couple of long-range shots at goal, looking to test the Jambo’s nerve. Both were easily smothered. At the other end, neat link up play through Hearts’ Jai Charleston-King almost put Ryan Schiavone in the clear, but goalkeeper Tom Ritchie was alert to the danger.

On eight minutes, the first real chance. An Aberdeen freekick from the left by Ramsay was driven low, evading the gloves of Harris Spratt. The outstretched leg of Chris Aikamenze was not enough to force the ball home though, as the striker saw his effort cleared by the Hearts defence.

The Edinburgh side were having chances of their own, and were particularly threatening down the wings. On 21, right-back Sean Docherty won a freekick on the edge of the box. Charleston-King delivered a good curling ball, but skipper Arron Darge could not make a clean connection on his header. On the half-hour, some clever interchange on the left would put Leon Watson free. His shot blocked.

Then on 32, the breakthrough. Aberdeen’s Simone Zanda got the ball on their right. His first cross was deflected away to Hanratty on the edge, who fed him again. On the second attempt, the bouncing ball reached a gambling Lyall Booth, who pounced between defenders to turn the ball in for 1-0.

Late in the half, Hearts had a penalty claim waved away when Schiavone went down, whilst the Don’s Aikamenze flashed a header wide off a Calvin Ramsay cross. The players sought half-time warmth: the game simmering nicely at the interval.

Half Time:

Aberdeen FC

1-0

Heart of Midlothian

Hearts began the second half with clear intent. Charleston-King had a sighter from distance moments after the restart, and on 51 minutes Kieran Mitchell was inches from making contact with an Aidan Denholm cross.

The Jambos were pressing further up the field and moving the ball well at this point, again Leon Watson and Sean Docherty were contributing to that effort from the fullback positions, engaging Aberdeen on higher ground. On 62, Mitchell found room round the back of the Dons defence, but fired Docherty’s centre over the bar.

The Reds replaced goal-scorer Lyall Booth on 66. The left winger had stayed down injured following an earlier collision. Michael Dangana was introduced. A tough end to an impressive display for the Scotland youth cap.

Then on 72 minutes, the first of the two major flashpoints in the period. Referee Duncan Nicolson stopped play before a Hearts corner. There appeared to be an altercation in the centre of the box with Ritchie, and Hearts’ Arron Darge was dismissed instantaneously.

A man light, the game was stretching.

Into the final 10 minutes and Aikamenze went close for the Dons following good work by Dangana. His header glanced wide.

From end-to-end it swung now, and Hearts substitute MacKenzie Ramos picked out Schiavone in the area. His blocked effort was one of his final contributions.

With five minutes remaining, positive dribbling by Schiavone won a freekick, but before it could be taken, the striker was ordered off. Possible dissent at play here. Hearts would end with nine men.

Both teams had chances in the final seconds. Ramos turned a cross wide for Hearts. Aberdeen’s Livingstone was thwarted on the break, as Michael Aitken was booked.

Ultimately though, the Cup belonged to the Dons, seeing the match out to claim victory. Congratulations to Aberdeen. Commiserations to Heart of Midlothian.